Trump wins Portland troop ruling, launches White House ballroom demolition
A federal appeals court has permitted President Donald Trump to send the National Guard to Portland, Oregon, overturning a lower court decision. However, the state’s officials warn it sets a dangerous precedent.
Plus, Atlanta police said a family’s quick call stopped a possible mass shooting. Officers arrested a man they claimed threatened a “shoot-up” at the world’s busiest airport.
And demolition has begun at the White House as crews tear into the East Wing. But the president’s critics say this is one step too far.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.
Appeals court backs Trump on Portland National Guard move
The battle over troops in Portland, Oregon, has taken a turn.
A federal appeals court has cleared President Donald Trump to deploy the National Guard, overturning a judge who blocked it earlier this month.
The White House argued that the move is necessary to protect federal facilities, especially a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building that’s been the site of protests for months.
However, Oregon officials said those demonstrations have mostly calmed down. They accused the president of manufacturing a crisis to justify military action.
The two-judge majority, both Trump appointees, said the president acted within his authority under federal law. Meanwhile, a third judge, a Clinton appointee, called the ruling “absurd,” saying it accepts a false picture of Portland as a war zone.
Oregon’s attorney general said the decision sets a dangerous precedent: giving the president power to put troops on city streets with little oversight.
The administration praised the court’s ruling.
The case now appears headed for the Supreme Court.
And in a related case, the Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to lift a lower court order blocking troops from entering Chicago.
But Illinois and city officials have called that request a “mischaracterization of the facts,” saying local police have handled small protests without issue.
They’re urging the justices to keep the block in place, warning that deploying the guard would disrupt the constitutional balance between state and federal power.
Shutdown hits week 3 as Senate deadlocks again
The government shutdown is now three weeks old, and there’s still no end in sight.
For the 11th time, the Senate failed Monday to advance a short-term spending bill. It’s a bill that would reopen the government while lawmakers negotiate a broader deal.
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans head to the White House, where Trump is expected to thank them for holding the line as they continue to reject Democrats’ demands.
Meanwhile, Majority Leader John Thune plans to introduce a separate bill this week that would guarantee pay for federal workers and military personnel still on the job during the funding freeze.
That plan will need Democratic support, the same support Republicans failed to get last week on a similar defense measure.
‘Tragedy averted’ after arrest at Atlanta airport: Police
Police said a tragedy was averted in Atlanta after they arrested a man accused of planning a shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
Officers claimed 49-year-old Billy Cagle’s own family called for help after he went live on social media saying he was headed to the airport to “shoot it up.”
Police found his truck parked outside the terminal with an AR-15-style rifle and 27 rounds of ammo inside.
They later found Cagle walking through the south terminal. He was believed to be scouting the area before retrieving his weapon.
Investigators said he’s a convicted felon with a history of mental health issues. They have credited his family for speaking up before it was too late.
“We’re here today briefing you on a success and not a tragedy because a family saw something and said something. A family knew they had a family member in crisis. They knew they had access to firearms, and they were on social media,” said Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum. “This is something we’ve seen across the country, time and time again, social media postings, people with an awareness, individuals with access to a firearm. But today the family said something.”
Cagle is now charged with making terroristic threats, attempted aggravated assault and multiple firearms offenses.
Comey moves to dismiss charges, claims Trump’s prosecution is payback
Former FBI Director James Comey filed two separate motions to dismiss the federal charges brought against him by Trump’s Justice Department.
One argues the case is simply retaliation — a personal vendetta by the president. The other claims the prosecutors who filed it were never legally appointed.
Comey’s team has described the indictment as “an egregious abuse of power,” claiming Trump targeted him because of his public criticism.
As part of the filings, Comey’s lawyers submitted a 60-page collection of public statements by Trump and Comey — a paper trail they said shows a clear pattern of retaliation.
“In response to Mr. Comey’s protected speech, President Trump has resorted to personal attacks and calls for retaliation through punishment and imprisonment. The pattern of the president’s statements and actions demonstrates a clear intent to subject Comey to official reprisal for his protected speech.”
The former FBI director also argued that Lindsey Halligan — a former Trump lawyer named interim U.S. Attorney — was “defectively appointed,” making the entire indictment invalid. She took over after her predecessor, Erik Siebert, was forced out under pressure to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Comey’s filings even cite Trump’s own classified documents case in Florida, where a judge dismissed charges over a similar appointment issue.
Demo crews tear into East Wing as White House ballroom begins
Demolition crews have moved in at the White House, tearing down part of the East Wing to make way for Trump’s long-promised ballroom. He’s called it a “ballroom for the country,” but what’s drawing attention is where it’s being built.
Trump had promised the project wouldn’t interfere with the existing White House. Yet on Monday, The Washington Post reported that a backhoe was seen ripping through the East Wing, which has been home to the First Lady’s offices for decades.
The $250 million expansion will increase the size of the White House by nearly 90,000 square feet, more than tripling the east room.
The president thanked a room full of donors at the White House last week.
“The ballroom for the white house is the thing that you people have really, really been very generous with. And we’re going to build a room that’s going to be able to hold literally the inauguration if we want. All of the glass on the sides is bulletproof.”
— President Donald Trump
The president said the new ballroom is fully funded by private donations from major U.S. companies. White House officials have called it modernization.
But critics said it’s the most drastic change to the people’s house in a hundred years.
Toronto Blue Jays return to World Series for first time since 1993
The World Series matchup is set, featuring a team that hasn’t been there in over 30 years.
The Toronto Blue Jays will return to the Fall Classic, their first appearance since 1993, after a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over the Seattle Mariners.
Toronto trailed three to one in the seventh — runners on second and third — when George Springer stepped up and launched a three-run shot to left, putting the Jays on top for good.
Final score: 4-3 — and the celebration started.
Next, Toronto will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, starting Friday.
More from Straight Arrow News:
Several states say November SNAP benefits in question amid shutdown
Several states have now warned funding for food assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, may not be available for November if the government shutdown continues. It comes following cuts to SNAP earlier this year.
SNAP, more commonly called food stamps, is used by 41 million people in the U.S., making it the largest domestic food-assistance program. Nearly a dozen states have issued warnings that benefits could lose funding ahead of Thanksgiving.
“Your November SNAP benefits may be delayed or may not be provided at all, depending on what the federal government decides,” a warning from the Missouri Department of Social Services said.
Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virginia have also issued warnings.
“We’re going to run out of money in two weeks,” Brooke Rollins, agriculture secretary, said last week to reporters.
With benefits expected to run out, families are taking matters into their own hands and rationing their benefits. Read the full story now >
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
